Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge: Journal Entry 1

Today I took a trip to one of the wildlife refuges on Long Island, New York. Close to my home town. Ha, before I left I remember speaking to my mother about going into the woods and being with plants, trees, animals, and other forms of nature. She laughed — actually, scoffed — at me with a: “why would you want to go into the woods. I hope that you aren’t going crazy.” To which I responded: “Well if that’s the definition of crazy, then, yup, I’m crazy. Definitely.” Curiously, if I told anyone that I was going shopping on Madison Ave. they would say: “Awesome, cool.” And when you tell people about going on an adventure in the woods, they think that you’re crazy. Wow, how backwards have we become? It’s sad, really. When we valorize consumerism over nature. How did this happen?

Here’s a section of my journal that I jotted down while staring off into the marshland:

“How beautiful these marshlands are as I stare off into nothingness. A bird just flew by and sang a note above my head — an unusual sound that I don’t believe I’ve heard before. I didn’t know how beautiful Long Island could be. I’ve been so consumed with all the homes, developments, and stores that I almost forgot to search for places such as this one. The sun plays hide and seek with the clouds, running from the cover and popping back its magnificent rays onto my face. Hello sun, how are you today? There you are, my friend. I am told that migrating birds visit this spot, traveling several thousand miles using the sun, stars, and wind, arriving in only days. That’s truly amazing. I feel a sense of peace here. Almost like watching that movie, what’s it called? with Kevin Costner on the Great Plains of America — Ah, Dances With Wolves. How he enjoys himself on the open grasslands. But this isn’t a movie and I don’t have to pretend to be at such a place. I’m here. There is music in the wind. Closing my eyes, I hear the wind gently wrestling with the leaves, swaying with the grass, and snapping frail twigs — that is nature’s drum-set. Nothing short of a symphony, indeed. If you listen with care.”

Had a great time of meditation, contemplation, seeing animals, and walking through an amazing forest full of surprises. I’ll continue to share my entries as I go on more of these journeys.

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